Qveen Herby at the Castro

[Drunk Monk]

There's a lot to process about last night. I'll get to it later today. This is just a placeholder for now. 

For you uninitiated, may I present her majesty, Queen Herby

[Drunk Monk]

This was my first time working at the Castro. The last time I was there was for EEAAO https://www.brotherhoodofdoom.com/doomFo...5#pid55045
Since then, it has been restored by Another Planet, a controversial move because of the 'hood it's in likes it local. But man, the restoration is spectacular. The Castro looks brand new. That architecture - the art nouveau/baroque/chinoiserie style just gleams. Absolutely breathtaking. 

I got there first and made connects with the staff, none of whom I knew. As I went to the bathroom, SHE was there for the meet and greet. QVEEN HERBY. In the flesh. I discovered her during some late night web rabbit hole and have been totally seduced by what she does. In person, she's even more gorgeous... and powerful. I had to avert my eyes because of all her glory (and you kinda have to do that if you're not tasked to handle the talent). 

My RM cohorts were Tucson Lee, a former pro EMT now paper pusher, and Sanmay (sp?), a new EMT. Fresh nooBs. Not too talkative. Kinda stiff. They had no idea what they had gotten into. I relented from talking too much about my glory daze or legacy and focused on asking them questions to engage them. They gave us 2 radios. I handed them both because they were the EMTs. Tucson had worked there a few times before because he lived rather close. He gave me some pointers about the venue like where to stand and watch. Those were good tips. Neither had much interest in the show, which was cool for me because I could run amuck.

Now note the date. Yea, yea, Election Day but also the start of Pride month. The QVEEN is flamboyant. This show sold out tight. I cannot think of a better place to be for her, for me, and for the denizens of the Castor district to come out. Literally come out. Fashion was FABULOUS. 

More to come but until then, here's more from QH (this also features her opening act last night - Thot Squad):

[Drunk Monk]

Beyond the amazing refurb of the Castro, the sound is excellent, especially the bass. Y'all know I'm a car carrying bass worshipper (bass addict if I'm to be honest). The Castro has powerful bass. The way they built the risers on the floor makes the topmost vibrate like sensurround. Tasty bass.

Thot Squad was ok - another non-binary performer and they played well to a celebratory Castro audience. Lots of flirty chatting between songs, drag queen style. Got the crowd hopping. 

It was a flamboyant night and people were dressed to the nines. Lots of lingerie and high glam fashion. Lots of pirate wenches and mermaids (the theme of QH's latest Isle of Qveen is piratey). Lots of beautiful men in high heels. Lots of big women. Hardcore dykes to lipstick lesbians. Me and the two other RMers stood at the door to our little alcove with is right next to the entrance and just marveled at the costuming as it sashayed across the lobby. Our hands-down fav was a women with bright red hair, a cheetah print skirt and the most amazing knit sweater covered with woven red lips and cigarettes. 

Qveen Herby is a reincarnation. Originally, Amy Renee Noonan was part of a duo with her husband called Karmin. They had some success, charting and appearing on SNL. their biggest hit was Acapella. Maybe you remember?



But they walked away from all that. Karmin disbanded in 2017, walking away from their recording contract with Epic. Noonan's husband became her producer with a total character shift and Qveen Herby was born.

QH is over-the-top cheesey glam with all the attitude needed to deliver such a caricature. Where Noonan gets me is her rapid-fire machine-gun rap style. Here's a sample:



Luv dat. But could she do that live? 

More to come...

[Drunk Monk]

QH was better than I expected. Not only was she able to rap like that live, she never left stage except to get on her prop boat. She came out behind a big screen that only showed her silhouette. Then after the reveal, she ducked out only to reemerge riding a big prop boat. The Isle of Herby theme was present with cut out props of a volcano and palm trees, plus a throne of course. When she did costume changes, she ducked behind the screen and a team dressed her, all of which was teased with the silhouette shadow. 

There was one patient sort of - she threw up in a garbage can but denied treatment and was with a friend. I was out in the crowd watching the show. Tuscon gave me his radio because the others were just staying in medical and I was the only rover. But I didn't hear it over QH's massive bass. As fate would have it, I went out to check on them and ran into them dealing with the patient. So it looked like I was paying attention, and that's all that counts.

Two drunk gals in lingerie accosted DM as he stood in the RM doorway babbling about where their seats were or some nonsense. They were 'bookend bimbos' as we often said, and got way snuggly with DM, so much so he checked for his belongings to make sure he wasn't pickpocket. All he can remember now is the white frilly panties on one of them.

Another drunk gal cozied up to DM at the end, babbling about something else, purring like a kitten. Towards then end, she was telling DM they should go camping together and share all these shrooms she had. Then she slithered into the medical room and babbled to the other two RMers, who looked amused and befuddled, until DM tucked back in and shooed her off.

It was a great show and I'm now a dedicated QH fan. After the show, the Castro was hopping - full bars, crowds in the street, people in line for the pizza stand next door. DM was sorely tempted to grab a slice or a drink, but it was a long road home after two days of SF adventures, so DM went back to his car, which wasn't parked nearly as far away as he thought before, and enjoyed the night ride home under the waning blue moon.